Re: Apache case-insensitivity without mod_speling

> On May 23, 2007, at 1:37 PM, Paul Mackinney wrote:
>> Is this an artifact of the MacOS file system?

On Wed, May 23, 2007 13:56, Ian Crew wrote:
> Yes. See http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25316

  For completeness, beginning with Mac OS X 10.3, Apple has also provided
a case-sensitive HFS formatting option. This option is for non-boot
volumes only, and is intended for compatibility with 'legacy Unix'
applications. However, this filesystem can apparently introduce serious
problems if used by certain Mac OS applications:

  http://www.macfixit.com/staticpages/index.php?page=2003111009264885

  Regarding mod_hfs_apple.so, the Apache module that Lucas mentioned, an
old post by Scott Anguish (an OpenStep and early Mac OS X developer)
notes <http://www.stepwise.com/Articles/Workbench/2001-10-11.01.html>:

> With Mac OS X 10.1 Apple also includes a precompiled version
> of their HFS module. When this module is installed, some
> "pseudo-case-sensitivity" is enforced when Apache deals with
> HFS volumes. It is not a complete solution though for issues
> involving case-sensitivity issues on HFS volumes.

  I haven't been able to find any follow-on posts or references to why
this isn't a "complete solution," however. If there are indeed gaps or
idiosyncrasies in this module as a filename case adapter, it is
nonetheless widely and successfully used. It's conceivable that this
module has also undergone revision over time to address the issues to
which Scott long ago referred.

  Finally, as a historical aside, this module was first introduced as a
security update following the release of Mac OS X Server 10.0.4, as well
as being included with versions 10.1 and above.

Aron Roberts
Information Services and Technology

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Received on Wed May 23 2007 - 15:10:49 PDT